Joe and I just returned from a week in Mexico. We celebrated Joe’s birthday and our 30th wedding anniversary while we were there. We stayed at the Mayan Palace which is a time share resort, located close to Playa del Carmen. I blogged about this place 1 1/2 years ago when we went there in December 2009. Going in July was not all that different since the temperature does not change drastically in that part of the world. But, this time the mosquitoes were in full swing. It had rained for two solid weeks prior to our arrival and the mosquitoes were about 3 times the size of the ones I normally see and man could they bite. Ouch. Really. We purchased some bug spray called “Bye-Bye” and it did not help at all. I think the mosquitoes actually enjoyed it! Normally in the mornings I like to take long walks around the compound as the gardens are magnificent. But, this time the walks were limited and I did my cardio at the gym. But, I was still able to take some great photos while on some of my walks. The gardens are truly impressive.
This was my view as I sat and read on the beach. What is not to like?
While I was reading on the beach Joe went on some dive trips. He said the diving was excellent. I’ll take his word for it since I do not enjoy diving.
And I ran into some more of my lizard buddies this time too. Some of you think these guys are scary but I think they are awesome to see, as long as they are outside and not in my room! Can you see both of them on top of the stone fence? They blend in pretty well don’t they? I think they are amazing creatures.
The town of Playa del Carmen has some very nice shop lined streets. Great for strolling and people watching. We went into town at least 3 times and I know you’ll find this hard to believe but, yes, there was a Starbucks and yes, of course I had my regular chai tea latte. It was fantastic to sit at the outdoor table with Joe while I sipped my chai and watched all of the interesting people. PS There were no mosquitoes in town!
I took a photo of the chairs in one of the local restaurants. Aren’t they great chairs? They would not look good in my house but they look great in this location. People often ask my where I get my inspiration for my quilts. I say…look around you. The colors in these chairs are great as are many of the design elements in the fabric.
And in the evenings when the restaurants open you will find lots of mariachi bands stopping to play along the streets.
Great week. I am revived and relaxed. As a result of my R&R there is no real news on the studio. My goal is to be working in the new studio in August and I think I’m going to make my deadline.
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Now for some book reviews. Right before I left for Mexico I finished listening to “Live Wire” by Harlan Coben. As you know I am a Harlan Coban fan. In this novel he brings back a favorite character, Myron Bolitar. Myron is a sports agent and this book starts with one of his clients, Suzze T asking Myron for help. Suzze is 8 months pregnant and married to a rock star. There is a connection between Suzze T, the tennis pro, and Myron’s family. The connection grows as do the characters and Myron’s connection to his family. Great book and excellent reader.
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One of the books I read on the beach was called “Summer Rental” by Mary Kay Andrews. I do not believe I have ever read one of her books. It was an easy and interesting read. Three best friends from high school, who are now in their 30’s, decide to meet and spend a week at a rental house in the Outer Banks, Nags Head, North Caroline. Since I love the Outer Banks the book had more interest for me because I knew a lot of the places of which she spoke. Ellis, from Philadelphia, was recently fired from a job at the bank which she loved. Juila, living in London, is an aging model has lots of issues and some of them relate to her high school days. Dorie was betrayed by her husband and holds a lot of secrets from the past and present day. A 4th character comes into the picture as Dorie meets Maryn at a restaurant in town and invites her to stay at the beach house with them. Maryn is on the run from an abusive husband. The 5th character is the owner of the rental property who lives in the apartment above the rental house garage. Each of these characters were in need of some change and carried some issues from the past. All in all….a great beach read.
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Then I read “Lake of Dreams” by Kim Edwards. I have also read by Kim Edwards “Memory Keeper’s Daughter”. “Lake of Dreams” takes place in the Finger Lakes area in New York. The main character, Lucy Jarrett, discovers a hidden past through letters and traces found in stained glass windows. As the book starts Lucy is living in Japan with her long time boyfriend, Yoshi. She receives an email from her brother that their widowed mother had fallen and had some minor injuries. Lucy decides that since she is between jobs she should return home to make sure her mother is OK. The story has a good balance from past to present day and the characters were very believable. Lucy believed that when her father died out fishing on the lake it was in part her fault. As the story unfolds she finds there were other factors that played into her father’s death. Good book with well developed characters.
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And my final recommendation for this blog is “Saving Max” by Antionette van Heugten. I really got sucked into this book and had a hard time putting it down. One of the main characters is Max Parkman who is a teenager, autistic, very smart, emotionally fragile and is accused of murder. His mother, Danielle, is an attorney, but not a criminal attorney. She decides it is in her sons best interest to work with the attorney she hires to prove her son’s innocence. What Danielle finds makes you want to keep reading. Another book with good characters and an interesting story line.
I am in the middle of another good book. Maybe I’ll be able to finish it on my flights back and forth to Oregon later this week. I have never been in Oregon before but I understand it has a lot to offer in it’s beauty between the inland and coastal areas. I’ll find out and let you know.
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I am so excited to share another of my students works with you. Karen Gulotta took my “Oriental Flowers”, machine applique class in May when I taught for her guild in Long Island. I love Karen’s color choices. Good job Karen and thanks for sharing.
Talk to you when I return from Oregon. Hopefully I’ll have more studio news then and for sure I’ll have some photos of the area to share with you. Sometimes I think I should have been a travel agent! No really, I love what I do too much to ever think that I have the wrong job. I fell strongly that I have the right job and love every minute of it.
I made a decision when I first started to blog to not post any comments that were made on the blogs. But, that does not mean I don’t read them and truly appreciate them. I just don’t always have time to respond to all of them. Just wanted those of you who are regular readers and write often to know that I hear you and keep your comments coming.